The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has reversed a blanket ban Bureaux De Changes and licenced 222 of them countrywide on Wednesday.

In a statement , embattled central bank chief Gideon Gono said the foreign currency purchasing centres would be a conduit for locals with free funds and international visitors.

“These countrywide and widely dispersed Foreign Currency Purchasing Centres/ Bureau de Change have been licenced and registered to commence operations on the 1st of September 2008 with mandate of acting as conduits for the remittance of Diaspora funds as well as centres for purchasing foreign currency from walk-in clients with access to free funds and visitors from abroad.

“This enhanced MTA framework is designed to complement the country’s foreign currency generation capacity, as well as ensure a greater level of convenience to the Zimbabwean populace, vis-à-vis, transacting in foreign exchange in a safe, sound and reliable environment,” he said.

Those licensed include Barnfords, Eurolink and Springridge and have began operating as foreign currency purchasing centres.